2022 Energy Monitoring Report

About the 2022 Energy Monitoring Report

The 2022 Energy Monitoring Report sets out the outcomes secured in 2022 as a result of the implementation of the London Plan energy policies through the planning system.

An energy assessment is required for each planning application referable to the Mayor, explaining how the London Plan energy policies will be met within the development. Specifically, applicants are required to demonstrate how the proposals apply the following energy hierarchy:

• Be lean: use less energy.
• Be clean: supply energy efficiently.
• Be green: use renewable energy.
• Be seen: monitor, verify and report on energy performance.

The hierarchy provides the mechanism through which the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission reduction targets of the London Plan are achieved. It also contributes to the implementation of strategic energy policies relating to decentralised networks and ensures opportunities for building occupants to receive efficient, secure and affordable energy.

Key Highlights

Key highlights in 2022 as a result of implementation of the London Plan energy policies include:

• Over 50 per cent saving in emissions from proposed new, referable developments when compared to the levels that would have been produced merely to meet national Building Regulations. This is a saving of over 59,000 tCO₂ per year.
• Energy efficiency measures alone (such as building fabric) resulted in a 17.7 per cent carbon saving across all new development.
• A total of 96 per cent of developments to include solar PV, a cumulative area of around 116,000 m² - approximately 25 Wembley football pitches, leading to approximately £30 million in new investment.   
• 118 proposed developments to include heat pumps, up from 100 in 2021. In total, over 31,000 dwellings proposed to connect to a heat pump-led system.
• Eight developments are predicted to achieve net zero carbon through on-site measures alone.
• 92 developments reported whole lifecycle carbon (WLC) emissions, as required by the London Plan. London is the first city in the UK to require WLC assessments for all building development types.